The Health Licensing Office (HLO) protects the health, safety and rights of Oregon consumers by ensuring only qualified applicants are authorized to practice. HLO establishes, communicates and ensures compliance of regulatory standards for multiple health and related professions.

In addition, HLO conducts inspections of licensed facilities, responds to and investigates consumer complaints, and disciplines practitioners found in violation of state law and administrative rule.

HLO's primary purpose is to provide more unified and standardized regulatory oversight that results in greater regulatory accountability and efficiency. The Office oversees licensing and regulation of multiple health and related professions represented by 16 volunteer citizen boards, councils and programs. The volunteer citizen boards and councils of HLO provide profession-specific expertise and consultation but are not responsible for central operations.

As a state consumer protection office, HLO plays a leading consumer protection role in the State of Oregon by safeguarding the more than 4 million Oregon citizens who purchase services from professionals and businesses licensed by the office.

The Health Licensing Office ensures qualification standards and ongoing professional requirements for more than 73,500 active authorizations (practitioners, facilities and independent contractors).

The Health Licensing Office is part of the Oregon Health Authority, under the purview of the Public Health Division.

Office goals

Provide excellent customer service to all applicants, clients and stakeholders

Promote a positive business environment by reducing barriers to professional practice